Dental plate



(ModeL) J. F. SARGENT.

DENTAL PLATE.

No. 385,142. Patented June 26, 1888.

N PETERS. Phnloulhognpher, Wanhingtan. uc.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. SARGENT, OF MANCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

DENTAL PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 385,142, dated June 26,1888. Application filed Septemler l, 1827. Serial No. 248,546. (ModeL) Uto be struck up into a dental plate according to my invention. Fig.2illustrates the same after being struck up into an upper dental plateaccording to my invention.

A piece of suitable sheet metal is to be cut of the form illustrated inFig. 1, or of any other form suitable for an upper dental plate. Afterbeing cut, as before described, this plate is perforated with a row orrows of small holes, I

1), parallel to the curved edge (11. The plate is then struck up in theordinary and well-known,

way with ordinary and well-known appliances, being careful so to strikethe plate that the row I) of perforations will, when the plate is put inthe patients mouth, come on top of the gums. Teeth are fastened on thisplate in the usual and well'known way, and it is to be used in the sameway that dental plates of its class are now usually used.Theadvantageclaimed for this construction is that it vent-ilates thegums, and, allowing the saliva to escape L through the holes I), whichwould otherwise be very troublesome on account of collecting under theplatein the roof of the month, gives them an ease and comfort heretoforeunknown to patients who wear artificial teeth.

It need not necessarily be made of sheet metal only. It may be swaged,cast, molded, or vulcanized of any suitable material, being alwayscareful to construct the plate with the perforations b, and so thatthese perforations will come on the top of the gums.

\Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is

A dental plate constructed and adapted to fit on the gums and perforatedwith a series of holes in its lowest part, which part is arranged tobring said perforations over the apex of the gums, and thereby, and byconstructing said perforations so that they are open through their wholelength, affording facility for the flow of saliva from under said plate,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. SARGENT.

\Vitnesses:

J OHN H. ANDREWS, JOHN W. CENTER.

